Sometimes kicker Brandon Bogotay still can't believe the entire scenario that brought him from Grossmont College in El Cajon, Calif. to the rolling hills of Athens, Ga.

In fact, he's still shaking his head.

"The whole process has been strange," Bogotay said in a telephone interview Monday. "I never thought I'd be playing football at Georgia, but I read on the Internet where they were looking for a kicker. So, I got a film out, figured it couldn't hurt, eventually got to talk to Coach (Mark) Richt and went from there."

Here's another odd fact that Bogotay admits to keep shaking his head about:

When he arrives on campus, it will only be his second time to Athens. His first trip to Georgia came during the Bulldogs' G-Day game back in early April.

"I flew into Atlanta and then drove over. I had heard all kind of stories, but I really didn't know what to expect," Bogotay said. "I went straight to the practice and I had never seen an organization that was as organized as I did that day. There was just so much intensity. It was really jaw dropping to say the least."

But Bogotay said that nothing compared until he walked through the tunnel and out onto the field that leads to Sanford Stadium.

It was unlike anything he had ever seen.

"When I walked through the tunnel I really got chills," he said. "Watching those guys and that feeling I got was something I never expected and can't wait to experience for myself."

Bogotay laughed that he still gets tons of questions from friends how he wound up in Athens, nearly 2,500 miles from home.

"It all happened so fast, that's the main thing everybody wants to talk about," Bogotay said. "It's still a shock to me when I think about it. It's just one of those things that I'm just so happy about. All I tell everyone is that I'm just trying to stay humble."

Once Bogotay arrives, he said he'll begin the process of competing with sophomores Blair Walsh and Jamie Lindley to be the Bulldogs' starting kicker.

While many have focused on the 6-foot-3, 205-pounder because of his ability to boom footballs into opponent's endzones, Bogotay said he feels that's just one part of his game.

"I'm just going out to compete and do whatever the coaches want me to do," Bogotay said. "I'll do whatever's best for the team."

His numbers at Grossmont were impressive.

A native San Diego, Bogotay spent last year as a freshman at Grossmont College in El Cajon, Calif. where he was named to the Pacific Conference's All-Conference First Team. He finished 15-of-23 on field goals, including a long one of 52 yards. He ranked No. 2 on the California College Athletic Association's list for most points scored last year with 72. He also had 24 touchbacks.

Bogotay said he's been keeping taps with some his future teammate via email while he continues to work out on his own.

He's also taken the time to check up on the rich history of Bulldog kickers, including Kevin Butler, Brandon Coutu and Rex Robinson.

Bogotay said he would love to meet all three.

"I'd love to be able to talk to guys like that," said Bogotay, who will have three years of eligibility once he arrives. "You can always take away things from players like that, so I'd certainly welcome the opportunity."